IRVINE, Calif. – A five-run second inning elevated the Orange County Riptide to an 8-3 win over the San Diego Waves on Saturday at Great Park.
The Riptide had no problem getting on the board first. With bases loaded in the bottom of the second, left fielder Reid Montgomery popped up to shallow center, allowing second baseman Conner Barth to come home for an early 1-0 lead.
After center fielder Alex Dolan drew a walk to load up the bases once more, right fielder Bradley Navarro capitalized with a base knock to left, driving in third baseman Bradley Beaudreau and catcher Ian Nguyen, making it 3-0.
“I am looking for the ball up in the zone, and just trying to stay above it,” Navarro said. “I’m hitting too many pop flies, so I got it done with line drives today, and it worked out.”
The mistakes only continued for the Waves. Orange County loaded the bases twice and brought home two runs without swinging the bat after designated hitter Alonso Reyes was hit by a pitch and Barth drew a four-pitch walk.
In the bottom of the fourth, first baseman Tomas Cernius sac-flied to left, sending home Reyes from third for a commanding 6-0 lead.
The bats for Orange County never cooled down. In the fifth, Navarro collected his second hit of the night off a double and brought in Dolan, who led the bottom frame with a perfectly executed bunt. Shortstop Brock Foulds then followed with an RBI single, putting the Riptide in front 8-0.
After Orange County’s eighth run, starting pitcher Alexander Umland tossed his final inning of the night, and it was a gem. Umland threw six scoreless innings, with no walks and five strikeouts.
“I think it was just attacking the day,” Umland said. “I trusted the defense behind me. We got a great team, we got a great defense. I know that if I can force people to put the ball in play, then I will have a defense that will pick me up.”
In the top of the eighth, the Waves pulled three across after three walks and an error, which brought home two.
The Riptide, now 22-14, return to play the Philippines Baseball Group on Sunday, July 19 at Great Park.
First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
